Seeing red. Blowing a fuse. Flying off the handle. From mildly ticked off to blood-boiling, we all know what it’s like to feel anger. And while it’s a natural emotion, the way we handle our anger matters.
God designed us to feel emotions, but he also provided us with wisdom on how to manage our reactions and responses so we can avoid dishonoring him and others. Here are 15 Bible verses about anger—see which ones will be most helpful for you next time your temper flares:
15 Bible verses about anger
James 1:19-20 | "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."
Ephesians 4:26-27 | "And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil."
Proverbs 14:29 | "People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness."
Proverbs 15:1 | "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
Psalm 37:8 | "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm."
Colossians 3:8 | "But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language."
Proverbs 19:11 | "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs."
Ecclesiastes 7:9 | "Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool."
Matthew 5:22 | "But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell."
Romans 12:19 | "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord."
Galatians 5:22-23 | "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
Proverbs 29:11 | "Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back."
2 Timothy 2:23-24 | "Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people."
Proverbs 16:32 | "Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city."
1 Peter 3:9 | "Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing."
What do these verses have in common?
We aren’t told to never be angry—but we are instructed to have caution when it comes to anger. It can easily control us and cause us to make decisions we’ll regret later. God calls us to self-control, patience, and peace, even when we’re frustrated.
One of the best things you can do is memorize some of these Bible verses. Keep them close and at the front of your mind! That way you can come back to them quickly when anger starts to rear its ugly head.
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